How do other ELI's (Saudispeak for "English Language Instructor") feel when on vacation from the Magic Kingdom ? I feel good but my wife says it takes me 20 days after leaving Saudi before I start behaving like a normal human being. So if I were in a job where I got 20 days' annual vacation (as some do !!!) I would never be "normal"

And how do you feel just before returning to the K of SA ? I look forward to picking up these pay cheques again but...........

Dear scot47,
I'm baaaack - well, not really. Just popped in for a quick look-see as I'm currently involved in teaching the first of those two courses for Elderhostel at the College of Santa Fe ( the one entitled: " Saudi Arabia: Past, Present and Future " ). I've done 3 of the 5 hours on that one and so far it's been a lot of fun. Then I'll have a week's respite ( which will be occupied with preparation ) befor tehe 2nd one: " The Many Faces of Islam ". Fitting THAT into a mere 5 hours may be a bit of a problem. But I couldn't resist replying to your post, specifically this part:
" . . . . but my wife says it takes me 20 days after leaving Saudi before I start behaving like a normal human being. "
Now really, scot - do you expect ANY of us to actually believe that you ever behave like a " normal human being "? No one who has heeded the siren call ( i.e. money ) of the Kingdom for as many years as you have can hope to even approach " normality " again. On the hand, we EFLers - or most of us, anyway - we're never " normal " from the get-go. And that's just fine, for who the heck wants to be " common, commonplace, customary, natural, prevalent, regular, typic, typical, usual "?
As for your question:
"And how do you feel just before returning to the K of SA ? "
Well, I'm glad to say I can't answer that. I can, however, tell you how it feels knowing you'll never be returning: absolutely wonderful.
Regards,
John

I dont think I would feel normal
teaching in SA and when I leave the ME. As soon
as I hit the airport, I block out where I am leaving
and prepare for NORMAL. Depends if you have
been living in isolation. I imagine a month in normal
to adjust to FREEDOM.